Car-coupling.



MTENTED SEPT. 18, 1906.

A.. STUCKK. GAR G'ULNG. MQLIGATION ILEp AUG. 31,1905.

wnTNssEs. j le f/MM ATBNTED sBPT\18,.19o6.

A. STUGKI. GAR GOUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1905.

v s SHEETS-SHEET 2,

l INVENTQH@ zgwn-NEssais. A

No. 831,249. PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906. A www GAR GOUPMNG.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, 31,1905* 4 SHEETS-SHEET s ioy i sition.

CAR-COUPLHM Specication of Letters Patent.

fetsnted Sept. it, 3.@03.

Appiimifm im iugm-i si, niet. semi-iii. cimes.

L'h all whom it .tay concern:

Be it known the.. l, ARNOLD STUcKi, a. resident oi Allegheny, isz thecounty of Allegheny' and State of Pennsylviini., have invented a new anduseful improvement in Car-Couplers; end I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof. This.invention relates to car-couplers of vide n. couplerprovided withknuckle-locking ineens so arranged that it cannot creep or juinpupuiider the iolting of the car and riccidenta ly unlock the knuckle,which can be 'set in unlocked osition, so that it need not he held bythe rakenien even though the cars do not immediately pull spart, whichwill be dislodged from seid set position when the knuckle open,end'which is also arrenged to throw open the knuckle.

The invention consiste in the special construction and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described end cieiined.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure i is a plan view 0l' 'my improvedcoupler, showing the knuckle in unlocked position. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the companion coupler, teken on the line 2 2, Fig.4t, and showing the knuckledn loclredposition. Fig. 3 is a. siniilarView taken on the line 3 3, Fig. e, and showing the knuckle in unlockedpo- Fig. 4 is e vertical longitudinal section onthe li'ne 4 Il, Fig.1,'showing the lock ing-hlock in locking ositioii. Fig. 5 is e similarview showing t e locking-block in uil-- locked set position. Fig. 6 isa. similar view showing the locking-block at its extreme upper osition.Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on tie line 7 7, Fig; 5. Fig. 8 is c viewlooking lupwardly into the recessed head, end Fi s. 9 `and 10 areperspective views of the loc ing-block.

My invention may be applied to any automatic car-coupler having apivoted or swinging knuckle. lt comprises e, suitable head 1,

.having therein e recess or chiiinher 2 and provided. with lugs 3,between. which the knuckle 4 is pivoted by ineens' of the pin. 5.

V The heed is also provided with the horn 6, as

is common iii this type of couplers, and with the shrink 7 forsttachincnt to the draft mechanism.

The knuckle is provided with a teil 8, which projects heck into therecess 2 of the heed and which at its end is provided with the hook 9`for engaging a lug or similar inea-ns l() on; the heed, so as toprevent the `knuckle swings open.

knuckle from pulling out even though the ivot-pin 5' should becomebroken ci lost.

he outer end ci' the knuckle-teil curved or I'ounded,.es shown et l1,and. chiite when locked egeinst the well of the heed., es shown in Fig.2, so es to take the hunA I strains oil the in 5. 4Seidte-il heee. iletfece .i2 for bearing against the locking-block. the automatic type; endthe object is to pro- Y feature of this invention.

Astentielly rectangular in The locking-block i3 v:erins the specialhorizontal crossu section and4 its long exis is preferably en rangedtra-neve" .y of the coupler-hondjes shown.. it hns its iippei frontcorner away, es shown it le, fine on its top is pro vided with beveledor inclined feces l5 end. i6, which are oppositely risnged. Project ingout roin one side oi. the block is the sini' i7, wl 'cli serves to throwthe knnckl On its ower fece the lilock is i'ovi'i. pin or prong i8,which extends down..- tin'oiigh e hole if.) in the iloor 20 oi the i )s'The upper portion of this pin is suos iintielly trie angular incross-section sind is provided with ai curved fece 21, meinst iviiichthe end of the niickle-teily will contact when the The lower part olithis in orprong is round, es shown et 22. The lifting-chain, link, orrod is attached to the block eceeiitricelly, being shown loceted infront of the center of gravity oli said block. The hole 19 in the floorof the heed ol or parallel with the exis of the coupler.

This block is sub# The floor of said heed is higher et the rear of seidslot at 24 than it is et the front end of seidslot. The recess in theheed .is provided with suitable ouides 25 for guiding the `blockverticallvend et its upper portion is provided with oppositelydncliiiedfeces 26 and 27, which serve to rotate the hloek on .its vertical exis.The Awell et the 'iront ci" the recess is provided withnninwnrdlyproiect ing lug, shoulder, or ledge 28, which lies enhstantifilly in the piene of tlie'top ci the lolock when in its locking;rposition. v

The kniickleeteil is provided Wit? verLA ticzil fece 129, iigsinst whichthe end ci the erin 17 beers when throwing the knuckle open. This erinnojecte upwardly end then curves downwei' ly and in the locked positionol the oiirts lies in fi cavity 3G, formed'in the tail of t elgiuckleithis hein done merel lto save space. .i lll/"hen the kinic. leis locke the hook 9 on 'its teil will engco'e theiug. lil -onv thecouplerhecd, the locking-block i3 l2 on the knuckle-tail, and. itsopposite end' bearing afainst the wall 31 ofthe headreeess. T e block,therefore, has a solid thrust-bearing on the side op osite to theknuckle-tail, so that it is impossi le to break or bend said block.The-arm 17 projects above the tail, and its outer end 32 rejects downinto the cavity 28 of the knuc le-tail. The block 13 will rest upon thelicor 20 of the head, and since the rear part of the floor is igher, asat 24, this block will be supported n Y at its rear edge, and consequenty will tip forward by gravity. This will bring lits upperjrcnt edgeunderneath the ledge 28, and as a consequence if said block should jumper cree upwardly under the jolting of the car it wil merely strikeagainst this ledge and cannot accidentally unlock the knuckle.

' W hen the knuckle is raised by means of the lifting-chain 23, thefirst effect is to swing said lock on its transverse horizontal axis,thus straightening same and withdrawing its front upperedge from'underneath ledge 28. Then said. block will move vertically until itclears or releases the tail of the knuckle and its lower edge is abovethe ledge 28. lnasmuch as the lifting means is attached eccen- .ricallyto the block, said block will swing so that its'front edge will be overthe ledge 28. Consequently, ifthe cars are jammed tight together thebrakeinan need not hold the operating-lever until the cars pull a art,but can at once release the lever and liiave his position. The blockwill merely fall by gravity until its forward bottom edge rests en ledge28, thus being in lock-set7 position. Vhcn the cars pull apart, the tallof the knuckle will swing out underneath the bloek and the curved end 1lthereof will bear against the cur-ved face 2l on the prong or pin 1S,thus shoving the saine baelfiwardly sufficiently to dislodge the blockfrom the ledge 258,k and said. block will then drop by gravity and restupon the end of the knuckletail. '(.onsequentlw when the tail againswings inwardly when coupling the cars the block will be free to fall bygravity to locking position. lf the knuckle has swung open before thebrakeman releases the operatinghandle, the lmucklc-tail will bearagainst the pronr 18 and hold it so far back that when the lilock dropsit will not strike 'the ledge 28, but will come to rest on the tail ofthe knucklo, Consequently, when the knuckle swings to locked positionthe block will drop by gravity to lock said knuckle and willautomatically tip forwarr-lly, so that its front edge will comeunderneath the ledge` 28.

The block moves substantially vertically l.: a height somewhat greaterthan necessary to release the knuckle-tail. At its extreme uppermovement the inclined faces l5 aiid 16 on the upper `side of said blockcontact with ond, a vertical sliding the oppositely-inclined faces 26and 27 on the walls of the head-recess. As a consequence said block willbe given a rotary movement on its vertical axis, of this movement beingsuch as to swing the arms 17 around, so that its end will engage theface 29 on the knuckle and swing the same open. It will be observed thatthis knuckle-throwing movement of the lookin block does not occur untilthe knuckle is ful y;

released, so that unnecessary 'friction isV avoided. The block, however,is given sufficient rotary movement to throw the knuckle entirely open.4,

The locking-block hasthe following movements: first, a forward tipp itsrear edge to come un er the ledge 28 ,sec-

moveinent; third, a reverse swinging movement on its horizontaltransverse axis due to the eccentric connection of the lifting Ameans tothe block, and the fourth, a rotary motion on its vertical axisoccasioned by the oppositely-inclined faces on the roof-walls and upperface of the block. The in or prong 18, projecting through the s ot 19 inthe floor, guides and steadies the block during these movements, permitssaid Vblock to swing on its transverse horizontal axis, merely ridingalong one ofl the walls of the slot. lts rounded lower end servespractically as a pivot to steady lthe rotary movement of the block, andsaid prong also prevents movement of the block transversely in thecoupler-head.

While both the block head are shown as provided with oppositelyinclinedfaces, this is merely to prevent friction. lt would be suiiieient if onemember only had such faces, and, indeed, a spiral groove or rib on onemember engaging a lug on the' other would answer the purpose.

lt is obvious that many changes may be made in the details ofconstruction of this coupler without departing from the spirit of myinvention. lt is extremely simple and cannot get out 0f order. The meansof unlocking and opening the knuckle, together with the lock-setfeature, is all accomplished by the use of a one-piece block, thusgreatly simplifying the device and rendering it less liable toderangen'ient.

1. ln a car-coupler, the combination of a head,a knuckle pivoted thereto,said head having a solid wall directly opposite the knuckletail whenthe latter is in locked position, and a single-piece locking-block inthe head having plane lateral faces and being wide and low and of suchdimensions laterally of the head as to fill the space between theknuckle-tail and the solid wall Iof the head to transmit the unlockingthrust of the knuckletail directly to the said wall, said block beingarranged for a verticalunloeking movement and a gravity-controlledswinging movethe direction ing movement on and the -roof of the i IDOIfs

rio

senseo nient units transverse horizontal axis for thel head to transmitthe unlocking thrust of the tion, and a single-piece ioc.

' locking tail directly to said wall, the arrangementbeing such thatwhen in its locked lposition one edge or' said block is supported whilethe ooposite edge is unsupported, whereby the b ook will tip and bringsaid edge underneath a projection of the head.

In a car-coupler, the combination of a head, a knuckle pivoted thereto,said head having a solid wall directly opposite the knuckle-tail whenthe latte in locked posiig-block in the head-lia ving plane lateralfaces one of which bears against the knuckle-tail andthe otheragainstthe solid wall of the head, said block being wide and low andtran.,.lnittiiig the unthrust ci the tail directly to said and being soarranged that in its g' position its rear edge on the door et the head,thus causing said block to tip and bring its forward underneath aprojection on the er.. in a -coupler, the combination of a head, 'aknuckle pivoted thereto, said head having a solid wall directly oppositethe knuckle when the latter is in locked position, and a soiidlocking-biock in said head having plane lateral faces one bearingagainst the knuckle-tail and the other against said solid wall wherebysaid block transmits the unlocking thrust of the knuckle-tail directlyto said wall, said block being arranged to have agravity controlledandguidcd vertical unlocking niovement and a subsequent swingingmovement on its horizontai transy verse axis for the purpose of settingsaid block in unlocked position. l

5. in a car-coupler, the combination of a recessed head provided with aprojection at the forward portion of its recess, a knuckle pivoted tosaid head, a knuckle-locking block in said head and arranged for agravitycdntrolledand 'uided vertical unlocking movement, and a liftingdevice attached ,to saidr lblock intiont'- oil its center of gravity,whereby when the block is raised it will swing to bring it above theprojection onthe head.

6. in a car-coupler, the combination of a head, a knuckle pivotedthereto, said headI havin@ a solid wali directly opposite the knocke-tail when the latter is in locked position, and a solid locking-blockin said head having plane lateral faces one of which bears against theknuckle-tail and the other against said solid wall whereby said blocktransmits the unlocking thrust of the knuckie-tail directly to saidwall, saidblock bein arranged for a gravity controlled and guidevertical unlocking movement and for swinging movements on its transversehorizontal axis Jfor Ithe purpose of both locking the same againstaccidental upward movement and forv setting the same in unlockedposition. f 7. n a car-coupier, the combination of a recessed headprovided with an inward projection and with a solid wall opposite. the

knuckle-tailA when the latter is in locked position, a knuckle pivotedto said head, a singlo-piece knuckle-locking block in said 'head havingplane lateral faces one of which .bears ,against the knuckle-tail andthe other against the solid wall of the head and thereby transmits ltheunlocking thrust of thctail directly to said head, lsaid block being ar-:ranged 'for a gravity controlled and guided l vertical unlockingmovement, the block and head being so arranged that when the former isin its locking position it will be supported at one edge and unsupportedat the opposite edge, whereby it will tip to bring the latter E -edgeunderneath. the projection of the head, and a lifting device attached;to said block eccentrically, whereby when lifted the block will swing soas to come above the projection 1 on said head. 8. in a car-coupler, thecombination of' -a .recessed hea-d provided with an' inwardlyprojectingportion on its front wall and with a solid wall opposite theknuckle-tail when the latter isin locked position, a knuckle IOO pivotcdto said head, a knuckle-locking v block in said head having planelateral faces one of which bears against the knuckle-tail and the otheragainst thesolid wall of the head and thereby transmits the thrust ofthe knuckle-tail directly to said wall, said block being arranged for agravity controlled and guided vertical unlocking movement, said head andblock being so arranged that in its unlocking position the block issupported at its rear edge only, thereby causing the same to tip andbring a portion thereof underneath the projection on the head, and alifting device attached to said block in front of itscenter of gravity,whereby 'when said block is lifted it will swing above the projec- ,tionon said head.

9. In a car-coupler, the combination of a for vertical unlockingmovement and having solid wall ci the head, thereby transmitting iroIplane lateral faces, one of which bears against o the l'rniickle-tai'land .the other againstlthe .-to said block eccentrieally,

the lunlocking thrustof rectly to said Wall, a lifting device attachedwhereby the block will tip and rest upon the projection in said head,anda straight guiding-proneF on the block adapted to be ha by are an Oithe knuckle when swinging open to dislodge said block. V

10. In a car-coupler, the combination of a recessed head provided with aprojection and with a solid Wall directly opposite the knuckle-tail Whenthe latter is in lockedlposition, a knuckle pivoted in said head, asinglepiece locking-block in said head having plane lateral faces one ofWhich bears against the knuckle-tail and the other against the solidWall of the ,head and transmits the unlocking thrustof the knuckle-taildirectly to said Wall, said vblock being arranged for a verticalunlocking ,movement and for a subsequent gravity controlled swingingmovement on a horizontal axis to bringthe same above the projectionvjinthe head, a prong on said block passing through a slot m the floor ofthe head and guidin the block in its swinging movement and eing arrangedto be struck by the tail of the knuckle in swinging open te dislodgesaid block.

11. ln ya car-coupler, the combination of a head, a knuckle pivotedthereto, a knuckle- `locking block in said heady arranged for an initialvertical unlocking movement, and a subv se uent rotary movement on itsvertical axis,

an an arm integral with said block arranged to engage the knuckle 'andthrow the same open when the block rotates. y

12. In a car-coupler, the combination of a lidad, a knuckle pivotedthereto, a knucklelocking block in s'aid head and arranged for verticalunlocking movement, and oppositelyinclined faces on the head of theblock arranged to rotate said block to throw the knuckle open.

13",.v ln a car-coupler, the combination of a head, a knuckle pivotedthereto, a knucklelocking block in said head and arranged for verticalunlocking movement, and oppositelyinclined faces adapted to'coine intopla at the upper end of the movement of the b ock and rotate the saineon its vertical axis, said block being rovided With means for engagingthe kiiuc le and throw it open.

j 14. ln a car-coupler, the combination of a recessed head, a knucklepivoted thereto, a locking-block in said heady and arranged for verticalunlocking movement, and a swinging motion on its transverse horizontalaxis for locking the saine against accidental upward movement, and arotary movement on its vertical axis for throwing the knuckle open.

15. ln a car-coupler, the combination recessed head provided with aninwardlyprojecting open.

ortion, a knuckle pivoted in said said prong senate the knuckle-tailAdil and head being so arranged that when the block is in its lockingposition it will be supported at one edge only, thus causing it to tipand bring its opposite edge underneath the projection in the head, saidblock being arranged to have a vertical unlocking movement, andoppositely-inclined faces arranged to subser uently come into action androtate said bloc on its vertical axis, to throw the knuckle open.' f

16. ln acar-coupler, the combination of a 'recessed head provided withan inwardly-projecting portion, a knuckle Cpivoted in said head, arocking-block in sai head arranged for vertigal unlocking movement andsubsequent swinging -movement on its horizontal axis to bring the sameabove said projection, and subsequent rotary movement on its verticalaxis to throw the knuckle o en.

17. ln a car-coupler, the coni ination of a head provided with aninwardly-projecting ortio'n, a knuckle ivoted in saidrhead, aocking-block in "sait, head, arranged for vertical unlocking movement, alifting device attached lto said block eccentrically, whereby the blockwill be caused to tip and swing over the projection on the head, and opositelyarranged inclined faces adapted int e further u ivard movementof the block to come inte ay and rotate said block on its vertical axis1tje throw the knuckle open.

18. ln a ear-coupler, the combination of a recessed head, a knucklepivoted thereto, a locking-block in said head and arranged when in itslocked position to tip on a horizontal axis to lock the block againstaccidental u ward movement, said block being arrange for a verticalunlocking movement, a subsequent swinging motion on its horizontal axisto set said block in unlocked position, and a subsequently rotarymovement on its vertical axis to throw the knuckle open.

19.' ln a carcoupler, the combination of a recessed head provided withan inwardlyprojecting j ed in said head, a locking-block in said head,said head and block being arranged that when the latter is in itslocking position, it will ber supported on one edge only, thus swinvingits opposite edge underneath said shou der or ledge, said blockbeingl arranged' thereof` above said shoulder or ledge, andoppositely-inclined faces arranged to subsequently come into action andswing said block on a vertical axis to throw the knuckle 20. Alocking-block for car-couplers proofa l vided with a prong adapted toproject through a slotin the oor of the draw-head,

having a cam-face for the engagei iead, a locking-block in said head,the block nient of the tail of the knuckle, and with a IXO lower roundedpo; --3 to permit the Nook Lo Tomte.

2. A locking-bio iq: for mr-ffouplvm hav ing omositcly--illc u faces forengaging dm 5 Walls of the head to the Mook to rotato,

2D guided 1n ou opom m the ofiaupowhimd.

lu tosthno'nv whereof 'the said ARNOLD l v 7 h'yi'fom, novo hereunto sotmy hemd.

ARNOLD STUCKI.

AW/mossos:

J. B.. KELLER, E. M. umvaem.

